Ben Mellor

Derby Libraries and a group of Dungeons & Dragons players have created “Darbye,” a magical reimagining of 18th-Century Derby based on six months of research in local archives. Professional dungeon master Toby Tyrrell-Jones is leading a volunteer test campaign set in 1793, shortly after the execution of the French king, while University of Derby students film the sessions. A public launch is planned for autumn, alongside a future family-friendly role-playing convention intended to connect young people with local history and library services.

A section of the Erewash Canal in Derbyshire remains closed due to low water levels, causing disruption for wildlife, businesses and boaters. The Erewash Canal Association says repeated closures and poor communication from the Canal and River Trust have raised concerns, particularly over dangerously low water levels. Local businesses including Langley Mill Boatyard report significant financial losses as passing trade declines. The Trust acknowledges communication issues and attributes the canal’s problems to extreme weather, vandalism and misuse of lock sluices. It plans water‑conservation measures, lock gate replacements and dredging to stabilise conditions.

Overnight lane and slip road closures will take place on the M1 in Derbyshire for eight months as National Highways carries out maintenance on safety barriers between junctions 28 and 30. The phased work begins on 20 July and alternates between northbound and southbound lanes through early March 2027, with some slip road closures and access maintained for emergency vehicles where possible. Work will pause during major holiday periods.

Derby City Council expects the Markeaton Park paddling pool to reopen for the summer after completing extensive repairs following damage earlier in the season. Officials say the pool is undergoing final checks before a date is confirmed, while opposition councillor Steve Hassall backs the reopening but questions repair costs and long‑term plans for the ageing facility.

Pub owners in Warwickshire warn strict notice rules on Temporary Event Notices could prevent venues from staying open for a potential early‑morning England World Cup knockout match. Although licensing hours have been relaxed for most fixtures, early kick‑offs such as the possible game against Mexico are not covered. Warwick District Council says it cannot legally consider notices submitted without the required five working days’ notice, meaning recent applications were invalid rather than refused. Pub operators argue the rules are unclear and burdensome, especially with unpredictable match schedules, and urge flexibility for World Cup events.